While I'm Thinking About It

While I'm thinking about it....
Happy Birthday Cory.  I love you and I think this is a birthday you will never forget.  So pleased to celebrate so many things with you today...

We have been asked by several people if we are going to do an "airport" welcome party when we return this weekend.  We have truly loved going to greet other families at the airport when they return home with their little ones, but we felt from the beginning that we probably would not do that for our family.  The main reasons being little Grace and big brother William.  William is the only Barnett who stayed in the States and we miss him so bad it hurts.  We want him to have the chance to see his new sister and get all of the hugs and conversation without us needing to see others.  Because we would want to see you!  We are social creatures and would want to hear ALL about your last two weeks.  Out of covering for William and for Grace who will likely be totally done by the time our feet touch Texas ground, we are going to quietly go home with just a few friends bringing Will and my mom to the airport to help with cars and luggage and to take pictures which we will happily share with you on the blog.  Once we are home and recovered from jet lag, PLEASE come by.  Just let us know you are coming so we have our teeth brushed and we would love to see you and hug you and tell you thank you so much face to face.  And of course, introduce you to our newest family member!  Thank you to all of you who thought of this for us and thank you for understanding that we want to do what is best for the sweetest of little boys waiting for us and his new little sister.

When we return home, we will likely do things a little differently than we did with our other kiddos.  First of all, Grace is a really easy baby who seems to fit right in.  But, she was in an orphanage up to this point.  She doesn't really know what a mama and daddy are and it's our job to teach her that as soon as possible.   She is social like us and will still go to anyone.  For those with children, most of your 16 month olds would not want to go to a stranger.  Grace doesn't know the difference between stranger and parent because she has had so many people caring for her in her little life.  It is likely for a time that Cory and I will not pass her off for any friends to hold her or encourage others to hold her or take her.  She is super cute and I promise that we aren't being selfish with her or spoiling her, but helping her to distinguish between family and friends and trying to not make her world confusing.  It is why I will likely "lay low" until I feel like she knows our home and that we are her family and that it is different from the outside world.  When we do venture out, we will keep her close for a while so that she feels safe and that we are constant.  I love that every night she peeks out of her crib while going to sleep just to see that I am still there on the bed.  That is a great sign.  We want her to know that we will not leave her and that we will be here when she looks for us.


Today, on Cory's birthday we went to the Consulate and everything went so smoothly which was such an answer to prayer.  We had an extra document just in case something went wrong.  We have heard stories since arriving of families being detained by a day or two and we did not want that to happen!  No problems with our paperwork and Grace's visa is being processed and we should have it in our hands tomorrow at 4:30pm.  Then, a two hour drive to Hong Kong, spend the night, fly out the next day at Noon.  I'm sure I don't need to ask you for prayers!   We would love them...

Wanted to share some pictures from the last day or so....



                                  Cute little one taking a break from walking around the hotel grounds

Tarzan

A very impressive wine bar that seems to be floating in the water on one of the floors in the hotel.  A very impressive wine bar that we won't be visiting.  Claire offered to bathe and feed Grace so I could take Cory for his birthday.  Tempting, but no.  

This was just way too inviting...I think she performed her starting solo for High School Musical 4.  She has been writing it since we got here.  It's called, "High School Musical 4, Lost in China."

Beautiful outdoor pool

Pajama playtime!

Daddy and Grace

Looking at the flowers

We love to walk

By the fish

Checking out the fun fish!

Sitting on the bench

Strike a pose

At the US Consulate!  All clear!

I love this picture...it is one of my favorites.  I used to worry about having lots of children...how would they know what to do and how could I keep up?  This morning, we were leaving our room to go to the grocery store.  Without a word from me or Cory, Carter grabbed the stroller and Claire went with him.  This fluid sort of exit without needing instruction or cues.  And, they started walking.  With confidence!   Down the sidewalk to the store.  With their new baby sister.  Happy to help without being asked.  (Not always, but definitely today and it was sweet.)

And, like any other toddler, she can find the smallest thing on the ground to put in her mouth!  Sweet Grace.